Desires and Diversions - Allen Newell's Retrospective on Scientific Pursuits

Watch a retrospective lecture by Allen Newell, the 1975 ACM A. M. Turing Award recipient, titled "Desires and Diversions." Delivered at Carnegie Mellon University in 1991, this 1 hour 35 minute talk explores Newell's scientific journey and insights. Delve into topics such as scientific styles, the pursuit of singular desires in research, embracing failure, and the development of key concepts like problem spaces and parallel processing. Gain valuable perspectives on choosing research problems, cultivating success, and navigating the art of the possible in scientific endeavors. Learn about Newell's contributions to artificial intelligence, cognitive psychology, and computer science through his reflections on projects like ZOG, Instructional Production Systems, and Protocol Analysis.

Intro
Scientific styles
The pursuit of a single desire
The scientific problem chooses you
The maxim diversions occur
ZOG
Embrace Failure
Instructional Production System Project
List Processing
Protocol Analysis
Parallel Processing
Success cultivation
Problem spaces
Problem space
Limiting the arena
Multiple problem spaces
Control construct
Task formulation
Problemspace
Choosing the Final Project
The Art of the Possible